The youngster, who was in the sixth year at Coláiste Chiaráin in Croom, Co Limerick, has been described as an “excellent student” and a “happy-go-lucky” lad by his principal Gerard O’Sullivan.

He said the whole school community is “deeply saddened” by the news.

The school's Student Support and Critical Incident team met today before shellshocked students returned to the school for the week.

"This is a terrible tragedy for the O’Connell family and for our school community,” acting principal Mr O’Sullivan wrote in a letter to parents.

He said: "Darragh was an excellent student who enjoyed the company and support of a great group of friends."

The principal met young Darragh’s parents Adrian and Yvonne in the wake of the tragedy on Saturday, while counselling is being afforded to distraught students.

"Our priority for this week is to support all of our students as they try and make sense of this,” Mr O’Sullivan added.

He said: "We will be making every effort to support his friends, and of course, he’s a sixth year student, so we will be putting in extra support to ensure a year group which has exam pressures to contend with is backed."

Tributes to the youngster – a keen soccer player – have been pouring in on social media.

One parent wrote: “We had the pleasure of having him at our house many of a time with the boys. What a lovely young fella. Condolences to all Darragh’s family and friends.

“He was sound out. A fine looking young fella. It’s just such a tragedy,” another parent added, with a further comment going: "Had the pleasure of meeting this young lad at my grandson's house the night of their debs, they were all suited and booted, beautiful young lads. Rest in peace Darragh."

One of his classmates added: "RIP Darragh. Gone but never forgotten".

"A kind and happy teenager, his school friends will miss him," another added.

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Independent councillor Richard O’Donoghue, who represents the area of Croom on the local council, said: “It’s just such a tragedy. For a young boy to lose his life like that, it just defies belief. My condolences go out to his parents."

The beloved son of Adrian and Yvonne, and the dearly loved brother of Vicky, Darragh will be laid to rest after Requiem Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in the Childers Road, at 11am on Wednesday morning.